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The Biofile: Marin Cilic Interview (2008)
3 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
From the archives…I did this Biofile interview with Marin Cilic after his first round win at the 2008 US Open…
DOB: Sept. 28, ’88 In: Medjugorje, Bosnia Herzegovina
Tennis Inspirations: “Of course Goran Ivanisevic, he was a national hero when I was growing up. He also helped me a lot during when he was finishing his career and probably when I was fourteen-fifteen, just coming up. So he was a really big help for my tennis.”
Hobbies/Interests: “During the tournaments I like to just relax, watch some movies, internet, play some games. When I have some days off I always go home to my family, with my friends, relatives, of course, go out and have a little fun with my friends.”
First Tennis Memory: “When I was in Germany, I went to Germany when I was six or seven. There I played with my cousin. And she was also one of the first ones to teach me how to play, as she was playing before. So she encouraged me to start.”
Favorite Movies: “Action and comedy, I like Braveheart, Deja Vu, Lord of the Rings.”
Last Book Read: “It was Paulo Coelho Alchemist.”
Musical Tastes: “Croatian music, R&B, hip-hop, some pop, AC/DC and Linkin Park.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “I always like to warm up very good. And then to have a half an hour to take your time and to focus on the match. That’s always to make the routine like that, to warm up good and then to have some rest time and to prepare mentally for the match.”
Favorite Meal: “Mom’s kitchen [smiles]. Meat with potatoes.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Favorite Websites: “Mostly sport websites in Croatia.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “Participating at the Olympics for the first time. Also participating in Davis Cup in Croatia. Second week of Wimbledon this year.”
Most Painful Moment: “Haven’t had that…so far [smiles].”
Favorite Tournaments: “I like Queens a lot. And I like also Zagreb and Umag in Croatia.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “Tough moment was when I played first time in Croatia Davis Cup with Nalbandian. That was pretty rough. In front of full stadium. So I lost pretty badly.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I like to hang out with Zverev, Haase. Those are the guys I know from juniors. Of course, Croatian guys, all the guys, Ancic, Karanusic, Karlovic, all the guys.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “On the court or off? (Both.) Well, Ljubicic, he’s funny off the court. The foreigners…I’m not sure. Didn’t get too friendly with them yet.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “So far, well, Nalbandian of course. And I played Djokovic this year. Tough opponent.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Soccer.”
Favorite Players To Watch: “Federer, a lot.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honest. Like, friendship. People who appreciate other people.”
"My cousin encouraged me to start tennis"
3 comments
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Scoop Malinowski · September 9, 2014 at 11:14 am
Interesting that Goran helped Cilic when he was a young teenager. Wish Agassi and Sampras would get more involved in helping American juniors, they surely have a lot to offer, like Goran obviously did for young Marin.
Jack · September 9, 2014 at 12:45 pm
All of the top level Croats are over 6′ 3″. Ivansicivic, Lubicic, Cilic, Ancic, Karlovic. I wonder what is in the water there.
Dan Markowitz · September 9, 2014 at 2:14 pm
Meat and potatoes his favorite meal and chocolate his favorite ice cream. Yeah, that’s pretty boring.